Dear STEM Teachers,
Happy New Year! Welcome to the January 2016 edition of the STEM newsletter from Graphic Science, full of enrichment opportunities for you and your students. Get in touch if you’d like support on any of the activities below or if you’d like to arrange a visit from a STEM ambassador this term to secure your STEM Engagement Badge for 2015/16 (see below)!
Best wishes,
Caroline
STEM Newsletter – Spring Term 2016
In this term’s newsletter:
School Recognition
STEM Engagement Badge 2015/16
STEM Club Support
STEM Clubs Week
STEM Clubs Competition
Six Week STEM Club
Activities and Events for Students
Engineer your Future
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!
I’m an Engineer, Get me out of here!
Your Green Future
Competitions
Step into the NHS
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry 2016
UKAYRoC 2016: UK Aerospace Rocketry Competition
Placements for Students
Black Sea Expedition
Nuffield Research Placements
Resources
Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS
BBC micro:bit
Don’t Forget…
Opportunities from last term’s newsletter
School Recognition
STEM Engagement Badge 2015/16
This year we’relaunching the STEM engagement badge for schools that engage with ambassadors at least 3 times last academic year. To secure your badge for the 2015/16 academic year, you only need to have ambassadors into school [ ] more time[s] over the next two terms. This could be to give a short talk, run a workshop for a STEM club, support a lesson or help at a careers event. To plan an activity, please get in touch.
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STEM Club Support
STEM Clubs Week (1st-5th February)
STEM Club week is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of STEM Clubs in schools, or if you don’t currently have a STEM club, a great opportunity to start one!Get in touch if you’d like to discuss how STEM Ambassadors can support your existing club, or help you start a new one.Check out the STEM club website ( for more information on starting new STEM clubs, activity ideas and information on this year’s STEM Clubs competition.
STEM Clubs Competition
STEM Clubs Week will include a national photo competition. There will be three photo categories:
Most unusual type of STEM Club
Best use of a STEM Ambassador in a STEM Club
Most original STEM Clubs Activity
From 1st – 5thFebruary 2016, STEM Clubs are invited to take part in the competition by sending a photo or video, and a 50 word description tweet @STEMClubs. All pictures and videos will be shared on the STEM Clubs website to showcase the hard work of all involved.Representatives from STEMNET and the Science Museum will choose the finalists.
Six Week STEM Club
This term we spoke to lots of teachers who couldn’t find the time to run a long term STEM club. Why not try a 6 week one? Our colleagues in Liverpool have created an easy to use 6 week pack which has simple activities to help you run a STEM Club. Or, if you have an existing club and just need more ideas, this pack is also for you! For more info on the pack, go to: If you’d like us to come into school to talk through the resources and share some more ideas on STEM clubs, please get in touch.
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Activities and Events for Students
Engineer your Future
Engineer your Future is a series of fun, interactive workshops and talks designed to help students and their families better understand the variety of career options within STEM. The event is free to attend and is on Saturday 13th February from 9.30-13.00 at Renishaw, Wotton under Edge. Pupils must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential.
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!
I’m A Scientist Get Me Out Of Here! will return this January (7th–18th), with students taking part in moderated web chats with real scientists. Scientists are grouped in different “zones” you can sign up your students to chat about topics relevant to their interests or what they’re studying. For the next round, teachers should register to take part before 24th Januaryat
I’m A Scientist Get Me Out Of Here will return again in the summer (13th–24th June 2016).
I'm an Engineer,Get me out of here!
If you’d prefer an engineering themed activity – the dates above also apply to this event where students can talk to real engineers via moderated web chats. To register: imanengineer.org.uk/teachers
Your Green Future,University of the West of England – 17th/18th May 2016
Your Green Future will not be taking place in Gloucestershire this year, so if you would you’re your students to attend this great, free event why not take a mini-bus to the Bristol event. Secondary school students will have the opportunity to explore career opportunities in a low carbon, resilient future. At the event students will work alongside 25 businesses in a series of one hour interactive workshops. Each of these workshops address a series of real business challenges such as; designing sustainable retail products, planning our future energy needs and green innovations in technology. Students will also spend time in a Career Pathways Exhibition. Details of the workshops can be found on the website page:
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Competitions
Step into the NHS
Healthcare Careers have launched their annual Step into the NHS competition for school children in Year 8 and 9. The competition aims to raise awareness of the variety of roles within the NHS by asking students to work in teams of up to 4 to research jobs within the NHS and creating a job description and advert. The closing date is 31st January. For a teacher’s pack or to register please go to
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry 2016
48 Salters’ Festivals of Chemistryare planned at Universities and Colleges throughout the UK and Ireland betweenMarch and June 2016. Schools can enter one team of four students from Year 7 or 8. Students will experience hands-on chemistry challenges in University/College labs and exciting chemistry demonstrations. There will be competitions throughout the day and an opportunity to develop teamwork and problem solving skills. The cost per school is £25 and the closing date for entries is 31st January. For more information go to:
UKAYRoC 2016: UK Aerospace Rocketry Competition
Can you design, build and launch a model rocket with the payload of two raw eggs? This competition is open to 11-18 year olds in teams of 3-10 students. There is no cost to compete but cash prizes to be won! Your team will have the opportunity to compete in national finals at Farnborough International Air Show (this trip will be fully funded) and if successful, the international finals too! The deadline for registration is 11th March. For more info and to register go to:
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Placements for Students
Black Sea Expedition
An exciting opportunity has arisen for four students from Gloucestershire to attend a fully-funded STEM expedition to the Black Sea in the summer holidays 2016. Students should currently be in their first year of post-16 study (Year 12) and be studying at least one STEM subject with a view to continue onto university. Students must be receiving pupil premium or be in receipt of free school meals. Students will need to be nominated by a teacher and fill out an application pack then attend a selection day. For more information please email.
Nuffield Research Placements
Year 12 students can apply for 4-6 week research placements over the summer holiday, where they have the opportunity to work with scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to conduct their own research-based project. Students who have been in receipt of Free School Meals may be eligible for an additional bursary. The deadline for applications is 10th January so they’ll need to be quick! To apply, students should go to
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Resources
Tim Peake’s mission to the ISS
Inspire your students about space this term whilst UK astronaut Tim Peake is on the International Space Station. Check out the space-themed resources and competitions available covering a variety of STEM topics: Keep an eye on the website for more activities launched this term (and don’t forget our STEM Clubs in Space networking event!)
BBC micro:bit
Make sure your Year 7 students get their free BBC micro:bit!Micro:bits are small, codable devices that can be programmed simply to introduce students to coding. The BBC are giving these devices away to Year 7s in all registered schools and working with various partners to provide teaching resources, activity ideas and easy to use coding software to help bring coding curriculum to life.Register your school at
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Don’t forget…
Opportunities from last term’s newsletter
From last term’s newsletter the following opportunities are still available:
Maths Inspiration Lecture, Bath –
Raspberry Pi Competition –
Brain Art Competition –
Royal Society Partnership Grants –